HALLE, June 15, 2015

As Wimbledon isn’t far away, the stars of the ATP World Tour have already put on their grass court shoes at last week’s tournaments in Stuttgart and s’Hertogenbosch. Ahead of the third Grand Slam tournament of the season, another week on the green is taking place in Halle and at London’s Queen’s Club.

Tournament director Ralf Weber received the official certificate by the ATP in person of Laurent Delanney (photo: Gerry Weber Open – Halle/Westfalen)

As part of the extended grass court swing, the German tournament has been re-categorized as an ATP World Tour 500 event and was dominated by Roger Federer in recent years. The Swiss star has won the Gerry Weber Open seven times. The defending champion aims at winning his eight crown in Halle now.

“I’m glad that the grass season is about to begin. I’m in top form, performing well in practice and I hope to get a good start again,” the Swiss told on Saturday night at a press conference at the Gerry Weber Sportpark Hotel. “I have been very successful in Halle and it’s always a good practice for Wimbledon,” Federer stated and added that he enjoys the tournament every year. “It’s always very special here. You simply fall out of your hotel room onto the Centre Court. I love it! Where else can you do that? Only here!”

Roger Federer is the defending champion in Halle (photo: Gerry Weber Open – Halle/Westfalen)

Top-seed Federer will take on Philipp Kohlschreiber in the opening round on Monday for their tenth tour meeting. It will also be the fourth time both players will face each other in Halle. The German is still looking to gain his first victory over the world number two.

The tournament’s number two Kei Nishikori will take on Austrian young gun Dominic Thiem and third seed Tomas Berych will face Victor Estrella Burgos in his opening match. Fourth seed Gael Monfils will go head to head with Lukas Rosol.